The final phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday recorded an average turnout of 60.03% while Manipur registered a huge turnout of over 86% polling.
In the 2017 elections in Uttar Pradesh, the voting percentage increased in all seven phases. The average figures were: 64.2%, 65.5, 61.16 , 61, 57.36, 57.03 and 60.03%.
In the seventh and final phase in U.P., polling was held in 40 seats across seven districts of the backward Purvanchal region — Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Sonbhadra, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Ghazipur and Varanasi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s prestige is at stake in Varanasi, as he is not only the Member of Parliament from the temple city but he also spent three days campaigning across his constituency.
Varanasi turnout
The turnout increased in Varanasi district by a significant 3.47%, from 57.48 in 2012 to 60.95. The biggest jump came in the most watched seat, Varanasi South, where the BJP fears it could face the wrath of supporters of veteran leader and seven-time MLA Shyamdev Roy Chaudhari (Dada), who was denied ticket. Mr. Chaudhari announced his retirement from politics on Wednesday.
Voting in Varanasi South recorded a massive rise of almost 10%, from 55.49 to 65%.
The turnout also increased in Varanasi North and Varanasi Cantonment, which together with Varanasi South, form the heart of the district. If voting shot up by 8.27% in Varanasi Cantonment, from 51.73 to 60%, in Varanasi North, it increased by 7.53%.
A total of 4,853 candidates are in the fray across 403 seats in the State.
In the second and final phase of polling in Manipur on Wednesday, covering 22 constituencies, there was more than 86 per cent polling, according to Chief Election Officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan. There was 86.5% polling in the first phase on March 4, covering 38 constituencies.
K. Kaishang, an assistant teacher at Ashang Khullen in Kamjong district, was killed in a bomb blast while proceeding to a polling station. Militants had exploded two bombs in the district, injuring two Assam Rifles personnel. Mr. Kaishang’s family has been given an ex gratia of ₹20 lakh. The police opened fire in the air to disperse the clashing workers of the CPI and the Congress at Wangjing Tentha in Thoubal district. Some workers were injured. Two miscreants who vandalised EVMs in a polling station in Chandel district were arrested.
